Commentaries & Articles
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Economy in stress- Covid-19 and Pakistan
July 4 , 2020 Aakriti Vinayak, Research Associate, VIF
Article Views: 169
A strange paranoia has gripped the world. As Covid-19 accelerates there seems to be uncertainty, chaos and anxiety about the future world order. The world is also grappling with the devastating impact of Covid-19 on the economy, as it is not just a health crisis, rather a social and economic crisis also. The threat of economic fallout further looms large in developing countries and fragile states. The article aims to look at the crippling effect of Covid-19 crisis on Pakistan’s economy.
Tags : COVID-19 , Economic crisis , IMF , negative growth , Pakistan Defence budget , Pakistan Economy , Pakistan , Neighbourhood Studies
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Leh: What Next?
July 4 , 2020 Arvind Gupta, Director, VIF
Article Views: 246
Prime Minister Modi’s surprise visit to a military base near Leh close to the India-China border on 3rd July was a turning point in the nine weeks old Indian military India China military face of which remains unresolved despite several rounds of military commander level and official level political negotiations. Significantly, the Prime Minister was accompanied on the trip by the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff.
Tags : National Security and Strategic Studies , China , Defence capabilities , Galwan , India , Intelligence , Leh , Military faceoff , Morale armed forces , PM ModiRussia , QUAD , Resist expansionism , Strategic competition , Governance and Political Studies
PAEAN TO COLONEL BABU AND HIS MEN | A POEM
July 3 , 2020 Amb Kanwal Sibal
Commentary Views: 390
At those heights where the earth touches the sky The wind blows like a flurry of sharp spears That pierce the flesh without drawing blood When breathing becomes an ordeal And each step an act of determination to feel alive Our soldiers stand like sentinels with weather proof will In bleak landscapes where nothing grows Stark cliffs that rise from the ground like denuded giants Where icy streams eddy through rocks and boulders The soldiers pump the depleted oxygen with strong hearts They stand guard with an attachment to a barren soil
Tags : National Security and Strategic Studies , China , Col Suresh Babu , Forbidden City , Galwan River , Hegemonic ambitions , PLA , Stone Age warriors , Tibetans , Uighurs , China , Neighbourhood Studies
Two Expansions: Which G7 should India Choose?
July 2 , 2020 Aayush Mohanty, Research Associate, VIF
Article Views: 568
The United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union in June 2016 and Donald Trump becoming the President of the United States of America a few months later with the slogan “America First” has led to the offspring’s of globalisation, the multilateral institutions and alliances coming under tremendous pressure. Both countries, now have announced the intention to expand the Group of 7 (G-7) in response to China’s rise and aggressiveness through its “Wolf-Warrior” Diplomacy.
Tags : China , Expansion , G7 , India , UK , US , International Relations and Diplomacy
Netanyahu’s Annexation Plan
July 1 , 2020 Amb K P Fabian
Commentary Views: 555
Prime Minister Netanyahu tried to move heaven and earth, including Washington, to get the approval of the Knesset for annexing a part of the West Bank—details are yet to be revealed—by 1st July. He has failed. He could not get his Cabinet to agree on what to take to the Knesset. However, he will persist. We do not know, and perhaps even he does not know, whether he would succeed. President Trump did not give the green signal for the July 1st deadline.
Tags : Annexation plan. UN Partition Plan , EU MPs , Jared Kushner , Netanyahu , Oslo Accords , Trump , International Relations and Diplomacy
Lebanon Protests amidst Covid-19 Crisis
July 1 , 2020 Hirak Jyoti Das, Research Associate, VIF
Article Views: 610
Political Blocs in Lebanon March 8 Alliance: Development and Resistance Bloc Free Patriotic Movement Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc (includes Hezbollah) Nasserite Popular Movement Popular Bloc Syrian Ba'th Party Syrian Social Nationalist Party Tashnaq March 14 Alliance: Democratic Left Democratic Renewal Movement Future Movement Bloc Kataeb Party Lebanese Forces
Tags : Clientalism , Confessional system , Corruption , Covid-19 Crisis , Lebanon Protests , sectarianism , International Relations and Diplomacy
Chinese Activity in Central Asia; beyond Trade, Transport and Economy
June 30 , 2020 Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Research Associate , VIF
Article Views: 813
Background China has invested in energy, infrastructure, transportation, railways and roads, communications etc. in Central Asia. Recently, Chinese Huawei has signed around one billion deal with Uzbekistan for digitalization of the country.1 This indicates that China has left no stone unturned to get its strong foothold in every sector of the Central Asian states mainly through its Belt and Road Initiatives (BRI). Through its economic activities, Beijing has secured a strategic position in Central Asia.
Tags : Badakhshan , BRI , Central Asia , China , COVID-19 , Debt repayment , Gas pipeline , Grants , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyz Republic , Loans , military base , Military Exercises , SCO , Security , Tajikistan , Uzbekistan , International Relations and Diplomacy
VIF News Digests
Global Developments And Analysis: Weekly Monitor
June 29, 2020
Global Developments and Analysis: Weekly Monitor, 22-28 June, 2020

Economic China watches big cash transactions to stem capital flight China will start tracking large-sum cash transactions to...

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China Daily Digest
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China: Daily Scan, July 3, 2020

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Neighbourhood News
July 3, 2020
VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: July 3, 2020

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International Development
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VIF News Digest: International Developments (US, Europe and Russia), 1-15 June 2020

USA US Domestic: Racial Violence: Demonstrators in Atlanta protest police killing of black man who fell asleep in drive-...

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Defense, National Security and Terrorism, VIF Alerts
June 22, 2020
VIF News Digest: National Security - Defence Studies & Terrorism, 1-15 June, 2020

DEFENCE: Op Samudra Setu – INs Jalashwa departs Colombo to bring Indian nationals to Tuticorin Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath...

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The Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) is a New Delhi-based think tank set up with the collaborative efforts of India's leading security experts, diplomats, industrialists and philanthropists under the aegis of the Vivekananda Kendra. The VIF’s objective is to become a centre of excellence to kick start innovative ideas and thoughts that can lead to a stronger, secure and prosperous India playing its destined role in global affairs.

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